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Native mammal feeders
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by earthguy on February 14, 2011
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Has anybody out there tried and had any luck breeding native mammals to feed to their snakes? Here is why I ask:
1. I have noticed (anecdotally, of course) that my ball pythons do better with African Sort Furred rats. It makes some Evolutionary sense that snakes may be able to process native food items more efficiently than non-native food items
2. I have helped breed Peromyscus in a labratory setting. They don't have any strange dietary requirements, they are pretty hardy, and they deal with temperature/humidity well because they're native
3. Peromyscus, Sigmodon, and their allies are common in rural agricultural settings like where I live
Obviously the main issue with feeding natives to a snake is the likelihood of parasite transfer. I figure with good husbandry you could get parasite levels in a breeder colony down to petstore mouse levels (or lower, in some cases) after only acouple of generations.
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RE: Native mammal feeders
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by Crotalusssp on February 14, 2011
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It really does make complete sense, Josh. I cannot imagine they would be difficult to attain or take care of and might even save some folks from having to assist/force feed some pitvipers.
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RE: Native mammal feeders
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by LarryDFishel on February 14, 2011
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I've never dealt with Peromyscus or Sigmodon, but in spite of being warned I tried keeping a wild Rattus (not actually sure which species) that I thought was gravid, with the intent of starting a feeder colony.
After the fourth time I had to tear my entire snake room apart to apprehend this one little ninja, I began to realize just how "domesticated", domesticated rats are and gave up.
Wild ones can jump higher and run much faster and won't hesitate for a nanosecond to do so.
You may have better luck with other genera...
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RE: Native mammal feeders
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by earthguy on February 16, 2011
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hahaha! Thanks for sharing the experience, Larry. I think I may try with the peromyscus firse since they're smaller and generally more communal. Although i think the Hispid rats may be more appropriate size wise for my herps. I'll let you guys know when I start and if I have any luck.
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